大象传媒

FEBRUARY 1945

1 THU
A day of hard work, commencing at 6 am and ending at midnight. From Shadwell, summoned to H.Q. to sign for seal, thence to City Gate for my salary. At home, I found electric light supplied at last and was able to work whole evening. Had collected suitcase sent in advance and unpacked it and had luggage. Rasped front door: made up bed: cooked 1st meal.

2 FRI
The tremendous amount of walking on Shadwell Station wears me out, although I approve of this form of exercise 鈥� but in purer and better surroundings! In the evening, progressed at home: cleared up the ceiling and wall flakes, which were mixed with water from burst. Also wrote part letter to Kay.

3 SAT
Busy day once again, walked myself tired. But each day has brought it鈥檚 problems, and thanks to the up-to-date instruction book, work of the PO I have been relieving, I have been able to get guidance and knowledge. As each day passes, I improve myself. Tomorrow, I go to Croydon: more interest there. Left office Shadwell, late, but had cleared all up behind me, thanks to a helpful colleague. At home, I had a roaring fire to dry out house, repaired small radio, finished letter to Kay. The news of the new baby next door will surprise her (now 8 weeks old).

4 SUN
A 10am /6pm turn out Croydon Airport. No comments on this turn of duty for security reasons, of course, but an interesting experience. On Sundays, a train within walking distance of the airport from South Merton (9.24 am). Home by 7: to Mum鈥檚, still bad with sciatica, returned her suitcase, and had a bath. Home 11 pm.

5 MON
To 鈥淗arpy鈥� spare: tackled some clerical arrears, although it was difficult to resist the leisurely manner in which all things are carried on there, and indulge in recounting my Gourock experiences. Met newly married Ron Banks, seemingly very happy; and others who congratulating me on passing exam. Quiet evening.

6 TUE
More under 鈥淗arpy鈥� influence than ever, and achieved even less than yesterday. But I am mixing in well with my PO colleagues, who are most kind to me. Did my shopping in evening. Radiogram came back from repair, and I expect happy evening playing opera (etc) records, Kay bought me.

7 WED
Made slow headway with the business of doing my files, which was interspersed with answering the phone and (almost) 鈥榬unning errands鈥�. Home by 5 pm: received visits from window cleaner and plumber. He talks of repairing pipes tomorrow. Enjoyed my leisure with the radiogram. Did many odd jobs.

8 THU
Directed to Surrey Dock early today, and spent a morning in a draughty shed (a dozen open doors). Left at 2 pm (by kind permission) as plumber was to be in possession, and arrived home to find job nearly done, the bursts being more serious than I imagined. Cleared up afterwards.

9 FRI
Worked away at my book all morning. Early lunch and away promptly for 陆 day. Worked continuously till 9 pm at clearing part of front garden, oiling front door, lit fire, swept Ideal boiler chimney, and lit the boiler thereafter: Swept and sorted out 鈥榡unk鈥� in garage, wiped surfaces free of dust in the bathroom: had a hot bath: bed at 11.30!

10 SAT
Another very full day. At work, continued with my big book until I was sick of it. Was shown what office duties I am to perform on Monday, when I take over office for 2 days. At home, had to arrange dampers in 鈥業deal鈥� boiler that it was still alight when I got home. Lit dining room fire and had my meal (always a 鈥榝ry-up鈥�) and went to Dr Kramer鈥檚 in Cannon Hill Lane, where I was taken on his panel. I had 戮 hour wait in his waiting room! Finished off letter to Kay, started Thursday. Bed finally at 11.30.

11 SUN
Drizzled with rain and cold. 20 minute walk to South Merton Station, and 15 minutes from Waddon Station other end. Conveying heavy parcel to Croydon, did not improve things. Quite a good day: now do duty behind baggage bench with more confidence. In evening, to Mum鈥檚: she is no better but came downstairs.

12 MON
In the office at the "Harpy", the PO I am relieving was good enough to do all the 鈥榮padework鈥� on Saturday, and all was plain sailing. Away from Office promptly, and a leisurely evening doing odd jobs, and wrapping newspapers, and writing to Kay. Splendid kitchenette and dining room fires. House drying out nicely now.

13 SHROVE TUE
2nd day in the office, now thinking I should like an office job 8/4 daily and 8/noon Saturday. Add to that, every Sunday off duty, and life would be ideal. Distributed the boys overtime after drawing it at City Gate House. Away at 4 pm, shopped at Co-op on way home. Cooked my meal, made my fire: spent an hour looking out a route to travel to Croydon tomorrow.

14 WED
All transport routes run south-west (sic) to London. My journey from Glenthorpe to Croydon is due south east. Experimented this morning walking 戮 hour(!) (including two lost journeys which caused me wet feet), and gained valuable knowledge re future travel. Time taken was 1录 either way. This meant arriving home 7.15, giving very little spare time before bed.

15 THU
Further experimentation with travel routes. Walked directly to Sutton trolley-bus terminus = 40 minutes: but from thence, comfortable ride to within 15 minutes of the aerodrome. Foggy weather, not much doing on airfield, had time to clear up one or two matters. Home 156 from Sutton via Cheam: not with the detour. Had sense to have fire laid this time. Letter from Kay: she鈥檚 not well.

16 FRI
This time travelled via Mitcham and Waddon Marsh Halt, I prefer rail travel to bus or 鈥榯rolleys鈥�, and will select the rail route giving the most convenient service. In evening, phone Dad re Mum, who is no better.

17 SAT
Broke resolution re route of travel (16/2) and missing Mitcham train, went home by buses. Tired and hungry after full day鈥檚 work. Fortunately my fire was already laid, and was soon blazing, and a meal prepared in about 陆 an hour, and thereafter, I felt better. Concluded letter to Kay and listened to a radio play: 鈥淢r Pym Passes By鈥�: then bed being on early turn tomorrow. Kay is suffering from acute depression, and I fear I shall have to have her home next month. Her letter expresses fears of her not seeing me again.

18 SUN
On the early 7 am 鈥� 3 pm turn till Thursday. The turn soon seemed to be over and I visited Streatham Park cemetery en route home, giving a prayer over Peter鈥檚 rose tree. At Mum鈥檚 in evening. Mum no better.

19 MON
To work on the 7am/3pm turn via Mitcham and Waddon Marsh Halt. Learned of the Wimbledon 鈥� West Croydon railways past history 鈥� it was the Gd Surrey Iron Railway of over 100 years ago. In the evening, took things leisurely, partly listening to the radio, partly reading periodicals borrowed from Roy: mostly magazines on the railways.

20 TUE
Reduced time to work to 1 hour today. Still getting communications from Greenock, but not, alas, the 拢12 in money owing to me (subsistence and over time). Borrowed 拢5 from Mum in evening, when in a depressed mind, I accepted an invite to dinner. Worried re cost of travelling and hours of work, condition of house, Kay鈥檚 bad health etc.

21 WED
Moonlit nights lead to frosty mornings. Last night鈥檚 walk home from Mum鈥檚, and this morning鈥檚 journey to work, were in cold weather conditions, which improved later. A normal working day: some overtime to be done, but my 鈥渙pposite number鈥� volunteered: I prefer my leisure. Things went rather wrong in evening, but finally settled down. Phoned Mum, Mabel there.

22 THU
Arrived at 7 necessary night travel (so it seems) these dark frosty mornings. Away 3 promptly, calling at hairdresser in Morden and other shops. Letter-card from Kay: examined by doctor re loss of weight: no serious cause (thank Heaven!). To have her home will do her much good. Listened in. Wrote card to Fred.

23 FRI
The PO whom I have been relieving, retired today, and relieved me of the early turn. Resumed 10/6, getting up at 7 and doing a few domestic jobs (including fire lighting) to save me the trouble at 7 pm, when I get home tired and hungry. Letter from Kay: Wrote her part letter. Listened in.

24 SAT
Heavy frost due to moonlight overnight, this soon turned to a sunny condition of the weather about mid-day. Work was however, as it sometimes is on Saturdays. Had a worrying item of duty cum Purchase Tax: I hate amendment to, or cancellation of Duty Slips. Lunching as we do, in the RAF鈥檚 officers mess (Aerodrome Hotel) at noon or thereabouts, about 4 pm I am decidedly peckish, and certainly by 7.15 when I arrive home, am tired and hungry. A worry brought home from work does not help. My tea revives me however, and thereafter, I was able to finish my letter to Kay, and to listen to part of a radio play.

25 SUN
Through train from St Helier to Waddon on Sundays, so travelled that way to work and back, except that I extended return journey on to Wimbledon Chase in order to go to Mum鈥檚. Mum a little better. Spent from 7 pm 鈥� 10 there and walked home in moonlight.

26 MON
A long day, as was yesterday, putting in full time, and then missing hourly train from Waddon Marsh (route of today). Home by trolleybus to Sutton, then 35 minute walk home from there. Decided this to be quite impossible as a route home; walk too long after a day鈥檚 work. Had very little of the evening, but read, listened and wrote in the time

27 TUE
Obtained permission to be a little late in order to do my weekly bit of shopping before I left for work (10/6 watch). Travelling problems! They鈥檙e really heartbreaking all round.

28 WED
Duty commencing at 10 am has the advantage of a leisurely breakfast and am able to lay fire for late homecoming. Today, had to go to Raynes Park to pay rent (拢7-3-2d) and was not home till 7.45! However, enjoyed my own fireside and the meal I prepared for myself. Read one or two of Roy鈥檚 railway books loaned to me.

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